Eyeglass construction



A Sept. 17, 1929. v c. L.. FLAVIN EYEGLASS CONSTRUCTION Filed April 19, 1924 INVENTOR CM Z. 7M

Patented Sept. 17, 1929 Unirse STATES A PATENT OFFICE M CHARLES L. FLAVIN, `0]? ATTLEBOIR-O, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORETO BAY STATE OPTICAL COMPAKY, `015 ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS,'A rCORPORA'LION 0F MAINE y EYEGLASS CONSTRUCTION i by r` i application med Aprii i9,

This invention relates to eyeglass construction and more particularly to the construction of eyeglass temple bars.

Une ot the objects of the invention is to provide a construction of the above nature capable o'l affording the wearer thereof a high degree of comfort and convenience. itnotherobject is to provide ,such a construction, strong and durable, capable of rigorous and long continued service Without break- Another object is to provide such `a `construction in which the parts thereof are yconveniently asaeinbled .and securely ,and dependably hcld in assembled relation. Another object :is to provide a ,practical and etfective art `oi making Aeyeglass temple bars whichmay conveniently be .carried on ,at low cost and with simple apparatusf Other .objects ivill be in part obvious-erin `part pointed out hereinafter. e

The invention accordingly consists in the 'features of construction, combinations of elementsn yarrangements of parts land in the several steps and relation and Vordner of each of the same to K4one or more im. the others all' will be illustratively described herein ,and the scope of the application of which Will be indicated inthe following claims.

lin the accompanying `drawing in which are shown yvarious possible embodiments of the several mechanical features rof this `invention, f y f Figure 1 is a side elevation of a temple bai' partly in sect-ion to better disclose the structure. n f y f j i f Figure 2 is aftragmentary viewiin greatly enlarged detail yshowing parts of the teinp'le -bai' in the process `et manufacture;

Figure ,is a View similar to Figure 2 shouting the parts at a later stage, `and Figure 4l shows partly .cut away the parts completed and in Ireadiness for assembly. l,

Similar reference characters reifer Kto .similar parts throughout the severalwietvs Aoi" the drawing'. f f

lte'terringrnoiv,to the'f,lrawi.ng in detail, there is shoivn inkFignre 1 an eyeglass temple bai' joined at its :lfeiu'ard Vend ,to a ,rim or other suitable lens mount-ing 10 preferably by .means ot a hinged connection indicated at 11. kThe forward portion ofthis temple example, at 13. kThis main body portion 12 is preferably of celluloiditbeing understood that the term yCelluloid employed here@ in is to be interpreted inra broad Sense to c comprehend y various `non-metallic` materials of a nature similar to thatof Celluloid and adapted to form eyeglass frames and associated parts. 1 q sie l', `r The rear portionfot the lte'mplebar extending rearwardly yfrom the body portionlQ, is fiexible, being adapted to yieldingly engage the partsof the head .to hold "the eyeglasses in posit-ion, and the rear end is shaped to any desired curvature to engage the ear or side of the head, "being lillustratively shown in the drawing as of a hooked shape c adapted to 'hook over the earjof the wearer. This rearfflexible :portioncomprisyes an inner metallic core member rindicated generally at yeo 14A-anda flexible covering of Celluloid there about.. The Celluloid covering 'preferably 1k takes the form of a spirally Wound ystri-p15 of any ,desired Cross-section, its cross-section in the drawing being show-n assubstantially rectangular. f The `forwardend ofthe inetallic core 14 is secured to the main ybody portion 127 preferably by being embedded therein-as willmore fully vbe described hereinafter. i

yConsidering :noiv more particularly 'the construction .ot-this met-alliccore yMain Figure 2, there is shown in enlarged detail a portion .ofthis corefat an earlyjstage inthe process ofinaniifacture off the temple bar. About ,an inner Wire member-or core llisy Wound a Wire memberk 17 preferably in spiral tashioinas showin andtight'ly coiled yabout the member 1G. Thereupon ase'cond Wire member 18 is coiled exteriorofthe Winding 17 land preferably coiled in a spiral Wound in .a direction'oppos'ite to that of the Winding 17. There'are thus ,providedabout the Wire member 1 6 two spiral"Wirefwindings 'tightly coiled thereabout, one above the other.I

and vv'vound "in opposite directions.L

Overa portion of this double Winding, and

A Ul

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exterior of the coil 18, is now placed a sleeve or tube 19 of metal. This sleeve 19 is of such diameter as to readily slide into position, its outside diameter being thus greater than the outside diameter of the outer winding 18. By any desired means, such as a suitable reducing machine, the sleeve 19 is now reduced in diameter, rthe walls thereof being forced or compressed inwardly, it being understood that by the term inwardly is meant in a direction toward the longitudinal axis of the tube and of the windings 17 and 18. This reduction in diameter of the sleeve 19 compresses the coils of the windings 17 and 18 within the sleeve forcing them inwardly and resulting` in a flattening and' compressing thereof, as shown in Figure 3. The compressing of the sleeve 19 and the coil therein is preferably carried to such an extent that the resulting outside diameter of the sleeve is substantially that of the normal outside diameter of the outer winding 18, so that the combined parts 16, 17, 18 and 19 form a member which is substantially uniform in diameter throughout its'length.

The member formed by the wire 16and the wire coils 17 and 18 thereabout is flexible, being highly springy and resilient, capable of being bent and twisted without danger of breakage. The portion thereof reinforced by and having its coils held in compressed relation by the sleeve 19, is also flexible, but not to as great a degree, being stiflened by the compression and reinforcement. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the walls of the end portion of the sleeve 19 are preferably weakened bybeingmade thinner, as shown at 19t.` This is preferably brought about by tapering thel inner wall of the sleeve at this point to give the mouth of the sleeve a substantially bell shape.A The reinforcement at this portion 19a, is therefore not as great as at the other portions of the' sleeve, nor are the coils beneath this portion 19a compressed to as great anextent asthose beneath the remaining portions of the sleeve, as is brought out in Figure 3.- The change in flexibility,

therefore, from the reinforced portion of the coils to the non-reinforced portions thereof, is not abrupt, but rather there is brought about a gradual change from'minimum flexibility to maximum flexibility. This is of distinct, advantage in preventing breakage at the end of the sleeve 19 as the core member isv repeatedly flexed.

The portion of thisv flexible core, formed as above described, whichis reinforced by the sleeve 19, comprises the forward portion of the core 14 as assembled in the eyeglass temple bar, and is of a predetermined length. By reference to Figure 1, this portion of the core reinforced by the sleeve 19, is seen to be embedded in the rear portion of the celluloid member 12 and of such length as to eX- tend rearwardly therefrom to a point 20, for

example. The core 14 rearwardly of the point 20 comprises the highly flexible portion formed by the non-reinforced coils 17 and 18 about the wire core 16. The entire core 111, having thus been formed, and of the required length, there are preferably struck up from the surface of the sleeve 19, adjacent its forward end, as shown in Figure 4;, a pair of lugs 21 and 22. These lugs, when embedded in the non-metallic member 12 provide a secure anchorage for the core 14 therein and prevent turning of the core in its anchorage. At the extreme rear end of the core 14e, the coils 17 and 18 are preferabl 1 soldered as indicated at 23, in Figure el, and this soldered portion is threaded.

The completed metallic core member 1a is now secured to the Celluloid member l2, as shown in Figure 1. This may be done by rst forming an axial recess in the rear end of the Celluloid member 12, thereupon softening` the celluloid and forcing the forward end of the core le thereinto. The Celluloid may then be firmly pressed inwardly about the portion Of the core therein and a secure connection aided bj the lugs 21 and 22 is had. The Celluloid strip 15 thereupon wound about the core 14, its forward end being securedy at 13 to the rear end of the member 12 by cementing or ot ier suitable treatment. Upon the rear threaded enc 23 of the core lei is threaded a rounded Celluloid cap 24 and the rear end of thev winding 15 is secured to this cap by cementing or other suitable treatment. The spiral celluloid winding 15, it will be seen, forms a covering which completely encases the core lll, and one which is readily flexed with the flexible core. The rear portion of the temple bar is thereupon, with suitable treatment, shaped to the curved contour which it is desired that the completed temple bar have. Y

There is thus provided a temple bar which has an outer all-Celluloid appearance. The forward portion thereof is substantially rigid while the rear portion thereof is highly flexible and resilient, adapted to yieldingly and comfortably engage the head or ear to hold the eyeglasses in place. The forward portion of the core 14C rearwardly of the main body member 12, being reinforced and stidcned, as above described, the change from substantial rigidity to high resilience and flexibility is not sudden, but gradual, so that when the temple bar is flexed the tendency to yield primarily at the junction of the iieXible portion with the main body portion l2, is avoided. The core 14 being reinforced, as has been described, provides in effect for a gradual increase of flexibility rearwardly from the substantially rigid member 12. Furthermore, this metallic core 1a is freefrom points of weakness which would be susceptible to coming apart or breaking.

From the above it will be seen that there insegne f are herein provided a temple bar construction and art of making the saine which embody the yfeatures of this invention and attain many advantages of great-practical importance.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features ofthe above invention and as kthe art herein described might be varied in'various parts all Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative andy not in a limiting sense.

I claim yas'inyinvention:

1. The herein described art ofmaking eyeglass temple bars which consists in Windingrv a metal Wire member into ay flexible spirally coiled temple bai' member, forming a. metaly sleeve member yhaving longitudinally continuous Walls of ylesser length than'said coil and having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of said coiled temple bar member, thinning they Walls offsaid sleeve member at one end thereof, placing said sleeve member about a portion of said coiled temple bar member and contracting said sleeve about said portion. i 'I f y f 2. The herein described artfof making eyeglass temple bars which 'consists `in `coilimg ka metal Wire member into a spiral coil-,Winding a second spiral coil fof Wire 4exterior of and about said first coil to form with said first `coil a flexible temple bar member, and applying'a continuous metal coveringexterior of 'and about a portion 'of the length 'of said second coil to render said portionof said* temple bar member less'iiexible than `the remaining portion thereof;

3. The herein described artof making eye'- glass temple bars Which consists in spira'lly coiling a metal Wire member, spirally ceiling a second wire member exterior ofy and about said first coil, placing a meta-l stiifenin'g sleeve exterior of said second coil butonly throughout a portion of the length of said coils to stiften saidportion and to leave the remaining portion flexible, and compressing-said sleeve and said coils therein to reducethe diameter thereof to one substantiallyr commensurate glass temple bars Whichconsists in'vvinding a" metal Wire member in (aspiral vabout la wire core member to form a flexible temple bar member, placing about the vexteriorof ksaid flexible templebar member throughout ya portion of the length thereof a stiifening metal sleeve, y'and compressing said-coils Withinsaid sleeve :by contracting said sleeve to fan outer diameter substantially equal to the normal outer diameter of said-coihto render said portion of said temple bar member less flexible than t-he remainder thereof. i l

6. Theherein described art of making yeye` glass temple bars, Which consists in spiral'ly coiling a metal Wire memberk `about a core member, applying metallic reenforcing means about the exterior of an end portiony of said coil to sti'ifensaid'portion, inserting a part of said reenforced end portion in the rearend of acelluloid temple .bar member, and placing a flexible celluloid covering'about the projecting part of saidreenforced portion and about the'remain-der of said coiled Wire member.;

7; yThe herein described art y'of making eyeglass "templebars, kwhich consists in spirally f coiling a metal Wire member, applying areenforcing sleeve about the exterior of an en portion'ofsaid lcoil to stiften the same, shaping the opposite end portion of said coil to a curved contour, placing-a substantially solid l v'celluloid covering about "a part ofsaid stiened portion, and placing a'coiled vcelluloid covering in "strip yformabout the remainder ofsaid stiffenedportion and about the unstiffened portion of said coil. n y f 8.- The herein described `artof making eye-rw glass temple bars, which consists in spiral-ly ioo coiling a metal Wire member, placing a metal y sleeve over an yend portion of said coil, ,forcing said sleeve inwardly to compress the portion of said'fcoil therein and to stiffen the same, yshaping the unstiffened `portion of said coil to a curved contour, placing .a substantially so'lid'f'celluloid "covering about :a part of said stiifened portion, and placing `a coiled celluloid coveringin strip form `about the reportionkand about niainder of said stilfened said unsti'ftened portion. i

f 9. In eyeglass construction, a temple bar having a relatively rigid portionand a relay tively yflexible portion `extending rearwardly therefrom, including, in combination, a ,spirally ycoiled Wire; member extending for- Wardfly from the rear end of said temple bar, y

yand: a metal sleeve yabout saidfcoiled member extending lthroughout a substantial length of the forvvardportion` thereof and stiffening said portion, said sleeve having an outer diameter substantially `equal to "the diameter of thewportion of said coilirearwardly thereof and holding the Acoils therebeneatli in compressed relajtion. y

i725 IO.y In eyeglass construction, a temple bar havinga relatively :rigid portion and a relatively flexible portion extending rearwardly therefrom, including, in combination, a spirally coiled metal `wire member extending forwardly from the rear end of said temple bar, the coils thereof throughout a substantial length of a forward portion thereofbeing stiffened by being compressed inwardly, said compression decreasing-gradually in magnitude adjacent the rear en d of saidcompressed portion, and means about said rcompressed coils holding them in said compressed relation. j Y n 11. In eyeglassconstruction, a temple bar having a relatively rigidportion and a relatively flexible portion extending rearwardly therefrom, including, in combination, a member extending forwardly from'the rear end of the temple bar comprising a plurality of superposed spiral coils of metal wire wound about a. core,`and a metal sleeve extending about a substantial length of the forward portion of said memberand stiffening said portion. Y l

12. In construction for eyeglass temple bars, in combinatioma main body portion of celluloid joinedat its forward end to a lens mounting, and a metallic extension extending rearwardly from said main body portion and comprising a spirally coiled wire mem ber having its forward portionv stilfened by a reinforcing metal l sleeve thereabout, said sleeve being contracted about said forward portion and havinganouter diameter substantially that of the remaining portion of said coiled wire member.

13. In eyeglass construction, a templejbar comprising, in combination, aforward relatively rigid main body portion of celluloid,a coiled celluloid portion extending rearwardly from the rear end of said main body portion, a metal tube having continuous walls within said coiled celluloid portion extending through a portion only thereof adjacent the rear end of said main body portion, and a coiled metal wire member entering said tube and extending rearwardly thereof vthrough said coiled celluloid portion. I

14. In eyeglass construction, a temple bar comprising, in combination, a forward relatively rigid main body portion of-celluloid, a coiled celluloid portion extending rearwardly from the rear end of said main body portion, a metal tube having continuous walls within said coiled celluloid portion extending through a portion only thereof adj acent the rear end of said main body portion, a coiled metal wire member entering said tube and extending rearwardly thereof through said coiled celluloid portion, and a wire core. within said coiled wire member.`

15. In eyeglass construction, a temple bar comprising, incon'ibination, a forward relatively rigid main body portion of celluloid, a coiled celluloid portion extending rearward lyfrom the rear end of said main body portion, a flexible metallic member within said coiled celluloid portion extending substantially throughout-the entirev length thereof and .entering the rear end of said main body portion, and a metal tube having continuous walls positioned .about said flexible.

metal kmember within a part of said coiled celluloid portion immediately adjacent to the rear end of ,saidv main body portion.

, 16.` In eyeglass construction, a temple bar comprising, in combination, a forward relatively rigid main body portion of celluloid, a coiled celluloid portion extending rearwardly from the rear end of said main body portion, a flexible metallic member within said coiled celluloid portion extending substantially throughout the entire lengt-li thereof and entering the rear end of said main body portion, and a metal tubehaving continuous walls positioned about said flexible metal member within a part of said coiled celluloid portion immediately adjacent to the rear end yofsaid main body portion, said metal tube extending also into the rear end of said main body'portion.

17. In eyeglass construction, a temple bar comprising, in combination, a forward relatively rigid main body portion of celluloid,

a vcoiledcr-illuloid portion extending rear wardly from the rear end of said main body portion, a flexible metallic member within said coiled celluloid Vportion extending substantially throughout the entire length thereof and .entering the rear end of said main body' portion, and a metal tube having continuous walls positioned about said flexible metal member within a part of said coiled celluloid portion immediately adjacent to the rear end of said main body portion, said metal tube extending also into the rear end of said main body portion and having in its surface projections interlocking with the celluloid thereof.

18. In eyeglass construction, a` temple bar comprising, inA combination,A a forward relatively rigid mainbody portion of celluloid, a

coiled celluloid portion extending rearward-` ly from the rear end ofy said main body portion, said flexible metallic member comp-rising an inner wire coreinember and coiled wire thereabout, and a metal stilfening tube having continuous walls positioned within said coiled celluloid portion` at the part thereof immediately adjacent the rear end of said main body portion, saidmetal tube being positioned between the outer surface of said coiled wire and tlie.innersurface of said coiled celluloid portion and being fitted tightly about the metal coils therebeneath.

. 19. In eyeglassconstruction, a temple bar comprising, in combination, a relatively rigid forward portion and a relatively flexible rear .portion, said rear portion-including a coiled metal wire member joined at its forward end to said relatively rigid forward portion, and a stiffening met-alsleeve having continuous walls positioned abouta forward portion of said coiled member .and extend-V lOO llO

ing along the same rearwardly of the rearlnost point of connection between said relatively rigid forward portion and said coiled member.

20. In eyeglass construction, a temple bar comprising7 in combination, a relatively rigid forward portion and a relatively flexible rear portion, said rear portion including a coiled metal wire member joined at its forward end to said relatively rigid forward portion, a stiffening metal sleeve having longitudinally continuous walls positioned about a forward portion of said coiled member and extending along the same rearwardly of the rearmost point of connection between said relatively rigid forward portion and said coiled member, and a flexible covering of Celluloid joined at its forward end to said relatively rigid forward portion and extending about said sleeve and said coiled wire member.

In 'testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this eleventh day of April, 1924.

CHARLES L. FLAVIN. 

